YORK Rugby League Club look to have won a major battle in their bid to be admitted to the new five-division National League set-up for next season.

York, along with National Conference League side London Skolars, will attend next Wednesday's Rugby Football League Council meeting in Halifax knowing that they have the backing of the RFL to join the National Leagues.

The meeting will finally see whether York will be accepted into the new-look National Two, with the bid needing to receive the green light from the existing 30 professional clubs.

Steve Ferres, who will be the chief executive of the proposed new York club, was today awaiting official confirmation of the backing from the RFL - and to find out whether the support was subject to any sanctions.

"We have heard about the support, but we've still a long way to go," Ferres told the Evening Press.

"We are optimistic the plan will be all right, but we're waiting for a letter of confirmation from the Rugby Football League.

"The letter is likely to say we have the backing of the RL board of directors 'subject to...' and that will be something we need to find out.

"We now have to wait for this letter to see what action is needed before taking our next steps. If there are conditions we will need to answer them on Wednesday, so that only gives us a few days to find the answers. The time scales are very tight."

Ferres said he did not know what conditions, if any, the RFL could be after, but added: "We hope that there is nothing serious but I don't anticipate there being any problems, but it does all depend on the contents of the letter."

Even if the York bid is successful, bringing professional rugby league back to the city after an unscheduled break, Ferres has no doubts that the hard work will only just be starting.

"It is a big ask to get in and an even bigger ask to stay there. It will all be about how much the people of York want a professional rugby league club in the city," he said.

York dropped out of the Northern Ford Premiership in mid-season after the club's directors decided it was no longer financially viable, but the plans put together by supporters and backed by the influential Ferres for a new club look to have swayed favour.

It is also understood that members of the Association of Premiership Clubs, who form the 18-strong Northern Ford Premiership, have given their backing to a bid to re-form York but have thrown out plans to re-admit Bramley.

And Ferres was delighted to have received the backing from York's fellow clubs.

"It is very encouraging for everyone, the support was very well received," he said. "I feel for Bramley. I don't know the ins and outs of what has happened with their bid."

But while Bramley have missed out, London Skolars are understood to have been recommended admittance to the proposed National League Three which is due to begin next March.

Updated: 11:55 Friday, July 26, 2002